CAMPAIGNERS fighting to reverse the decision to close Otley primary schools have won the right to appeal.

Parents of children of All Saints Junior School will go to the London High Court to fight Leeds City Council's reorganisation of the town's primary schools provision.

Although an earlier application to contest the decision was refused at the High Court, the protesters have now won the right to appeal against that decision.

And now they are calling on the support of as many different people and groups in the town as possible.

Sonya Conway, spokesman for the All Saints Parents Action Group, said that after last week's story in the Wharfedale Observer, she had been contacted by many people wanting to show their support.

"A lot of people just didn't think the closure was going to happen and now it is, they're really disturbed about it," she said.

"We just want to stop the whole process from being rail-roaded through."

They claim the consultation process was seriously flawed and

that Otley people are only now beginning to realise the full implications.

Instead of the two public meetings held in the town to discuss the reorganisation, the group would have preferred more smaller meetings.

Mrs Conway said: "The way the meetings were held meant everyone went on panic mode and starting fighting their corner whereas before all the schools had got on really well."

Education Leeds, the education arm of Leeds City Council, intends to close All Saints Junior School and Thomas Chippendale Primary School at the end of the summer term this year.

All Saints Infants School, Lisker Drive, will become the new Church of England school while Westgate Infants and Ashfield Infants will undergo a 'change of character' and emerge as fully fledged primary schools for four to 11 year olds.

Mrs Conway, confirmed that the group had been given permission to appeal to the High Court.

"We have from the outset accepted that there was a need for reorganisation in Otley, but have consistently argued that this should be based on an objective assessment of the virtues of each site.

"We hope that the action we are taking will force Education Leeds to stop and review their approach and to replace it with someone that approaches acceptable standards of fairness, balance and transparency."

She added the reorganisation, not just in Otley but the whole of Leeds, needed to be right.

"The implications of big changes such as the closure of a central site - such as All Saints Junior School - are huge.

"We firmly believe this will devastate Otley and the way in which this town works.

"Taking away the life and vitality of the children from the heart of the community will leave us with yet another empty listed building and turn out town into a ghost town."

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Wharfedale) said the whole situation was a serious embarrassment for Education Leeds.

"At the first public meeting it was said that if there was a bulge in numbers Education Leeds would put them in temporary classrooms, but with the new buildings there is not enough space.

"This is a serious embarrassment for Education Leeds.

"There are enough school places, but not in the right places."

Coun Kirkland added that if the All Saints Junior Parents Action Group won its right to appeal against the school closure decision, it would mean more trouble for the authority.

"Education Leeds will be in serious trouble, because there are already contracts of employment out to teachers."

Anyone who would like to support the group should contact Sonya Conway on (01943) 466465.

l What do you think? Was the consultation process handled badly? Write to The Editor, Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley. LS21 3NX.